Post connection for aeroplanes.



L. I. MILLER. POST CONNECTION FOR ABNOPLANNS. APPLIOAI'ION FILED FEB. 26, 1912.

Patented Nar. 3,1914.

' ti'ally through one of the connecting devices;

i the posts to be quickly and easily removed In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 the pr sent instance, upper and lower planes LEWIS F. MILLER, or FAIRFIELD, onto.

' POST CONNECTION FOR AEROPLANnzt yi Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Maia, iai

i y Application filed ,February 26, 1912. Serial No. 680,000,

To all whom t may! ancrer/u.

Be it known thfat I, `Lnwis F. MILLER, a citizen of the Uiiited States, residing at Fairfield, in the county of Greene and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Post Connections for Aeroplanes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to post connections for aeroplanes.

The object of the invention is to provide a strong, durable device for connecting the upright posts of a biplane to the frames of the respective planes which will permit the planes to have movement relatively to the posts, as where the planes are warped in controlling the machine; which will permit and replaced or renewed; which will eliminate or materially reduce the strain and jar imposed upon theplanes and stay wires by the jars to which the machine is subjected in alighting and from other causes; which may be manipulated to slacken the wires to enable them to be removed, thus enabling the machine to be dismantled or assembled in a very short space of time; which will maintain the edge of the post substantially in the line of flight but prevent the same from being subjectedto any twisting strains due to the relative movement ot' the planes; and further to provide the stay wires with fastening devices adapted to coperate with the post connections to enable the machine to be assembled orI dismantled quickly and I withoutlthe use of tools.

is a. front elevation, partly in section, of a portion of a biplane showing my invention applied thereto; F ig. 2 is a section taken cenand Fig. 3 is a detail of the stay wire fas* tening device. f

In these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention and have shown `the same as applied to a biplane of knownconstruction :inasmuch as the aeroplane as a Whole comprises no part of the invention I have only shown so much of the same s is essential to an 'understanding of the inention. The aeroplane comprises, in

1 and`2, respectively, which are connected one to the other and spaced apart by means of upright posts or struts 3 and the planes are held against relative displacement by meansn of stay wires et. In that type ot' aeroplane in which the wing tips are warped in controlling the machine thc stay wires are used along the front edge and along a portion of the rear edge, but it. will be understood that the invention is equally applicable to those portions ot' the aeroplane which are trussed and those which are `'tree to move.

In order that the posts may be quickly and easily removed and replaced oi' renewed I have provided a connection, a part ot' which is adapted to be connected with the post and detachably secured to a fixed part of the connection. In the present arrangement of the connection the iixed part coniprises a casting 5 rigidly securedito the frame of the adjacent plane by means of bolts or otherwise. As here shown the casting 5 is connected to the frame by means ot' 'eye bolts 6 extending through the casting and through the :trame of the plane. The eyes 7 of these bolts are arranged on the inner side of the frame and maybe utilized for attaching the stay wires. The detaclr able part of the connection comprises a socket 8 which is tubular in construction and is adapted to receive the adjacent end of the post 3. This post receiving member or socketis detachably connected with the casting 5 and preferably has movement about an axis arranged in a plane substantially parallel with the frame on which the cast.- ing is mounted. In the present ei'nbodinient of the invention the casting has a hollow portion orhousing 9 provided with a rounded end portion in which is formed an open ing 10. This housing forms the socket of a ball and socket jointl and is adapted to receive a ball 11 having a stem 12 which extends through the openingr 10 in the end of the housing. This stem is detachably connected with the post socket and serves to detachably connect the latter with the casting or fixed member 5. This detachable connection is preferably formed by securing to the Astem 12 of the ball 11 a collar 13 shaped to fit snugly within the adjacent end ot the tubular socket 8. The-connections between the collar and the stem 12 and between the collar and the socket 8 may be formed in anyv suitable manner.

"collar 13 and has its end upset to forni a rigid non-rotatable connection between the In the present in-l` stance the stem 1.2 is screw-threaded into the is o two parts. The outer surface of the collar is also screw-threaded and adapted to engage the screwsthreaded' lower portion of the socket 8, whereby the socket may loe` readily attached to and detached from the collar 12 and, consequently, the ixed casting 5. To hold the socket 8 normally against displacement a set screw 14 vmay be provided. Toperinit the socket 8 to have movement relatively to the casting 5 the upper end of the housing 9 is rounded on a circle described about the axis of the ball 1l and the lower end of the socket member 8 and the collar 13 are concaved to tit snugly upon the rounded end portion of the housing and constitute a bearing surface.

The opening 1() in the end of the housing is flared to permit of the desired amount of movement being imparted to the stem 12 and the socket 8. It will be noted that this con-, nection will permit the socket to have kuniversal movement relatively to the casting and to the frame on which it is mounted. In these main features of construction the sockets at the opposite ends of the posts are substantially similar but incertain details,

which I will nowproceed to describe, the connections at the opposite ends of the posts differ. F or example, the posts employed for this purpose usually have their front sides tapered forwardly so that they will oier the smallest possible resistance to the movement of the aeroplane.

It is desirable that the posts should be so supported that the edge will be maintained in line with the direction 'of flight. At the same time it is undesirable that the post should be rigidly connected to both planes, as to do so would subject it to a severe twisting strain when the planes were subjected to relative movements. To maintain the post in the desired position and at the same time relieve it of thc strain I connect one end of the post to the frame of its plane in such a manner that it is free to move about a vertical axis and to have universal movement about the axis of its pivotal connection to the frame. The other end of the post is so connected to its plane that. it universal movement about the axes of the pivotal con nections which are substantially parallel with the frame and has no movement about a vertical axis. This l accomplish by mounting a pin 15 in the ball l1 forming a part of the connection and causing the ends of the pin to project beyond the respective lsides vof the ball and into vertically elongated openings 16 in the sides of the housing 9. This arrangement will'permit the stem of the ball to have a swinging move.

ment relatively to the 'stem of the casting but will hold it against movement about a vertical axis.

`The post sockets are connected to their osts b i connectin devices.A such as ins 18 .resilient material, such as soit rubber.

4 slackened or tightened.

'mnner Wil and 2l hereinafter referred to, and it will be apparent that in order to remove the postrom the aeroplane all that' is required is 'te disconnect the post sockets from the post, as by removing` the pins, and then unscrew the sockets from their supporting collars. lVhen this has been accomplished the post can be readily removed and replaced or a new post substituted therefor and this may be accomplished without disconnecting the adjacent posts or 'the adjacent stay wires.

Moreover, this can be accomplished very h quickly and very easilywithout the use ci tools. j t

It is also desirable that some means should be provided to absorb the shock or to which the machine is often subjected in. making a landing or from other causes. To vaccomplish this l interpose a cushioning device between the post and one of the connecting devices. As here shown the upper socket is provided on opposite sides with elongated slots 17 through which extends a pinv 18 which also extends through an opening in the adjacent end of the post. The pin is. removed from the end of the post a distance somewhat less than the distance between'the slots and the end of the socket 8 and the space between the ends of the post and collar 13 which forms the end wall. voff socket l interpose a cushion 19 of suitable j JIL Tf,

will beapparent, therefore, that if'in landing theJlo'wer plane is subjected to a severe 'jar er shock this shock will be toja great eX tent absorbed bv the cushion 19 and will not be transmitted to the upper plane or the stay CIL.

wires, thus materially reducing the liability of the breaking of or injury to these parts. rl`he pin 1S may he of any suitable character but, as here shown, it is the ordinary pin having a hea'd at one end and an opening at the other end to receive a cotter pin 20 by means of which it is retained in the proper position. j

also prefer to make the connection, be tween the post and the frame contractible and extensible so that the distance between the planes may be varied and the stay wires u in the present desis accomplished in very simple -ich consists 1n connecting,l one/end 0f' thepcst to one of the post-receiving' sockets, preferably the lower one, by means of a pin 2l extending through openings in the opposite sides of the socket and an opening in the end portion of the post 3. The distance between the opening in the post and the end of the post is considerably less vices thi than the distance between the opening in the l socket and the `lower end of the socket. Therefore, wher ,fx in is removed the post will move down-z` 1. in the socket and thus shorten the distance between the two planes and slackenthe stay-jwires which are conl nected to the planes at the endsl of that post. The wires may be detached and re-attached to the planes and then tightened by moving the post. upward relatively to the lower socket Fi until the openings in the two parts are I n'onght into alincment and the pin 8 inserted.

'hile any suitable means may be employed for connecting the stay wires to the `eye belts l. prefer to provide a fastening de- .vice which may be readlly attached to and detached from the eye bolts T, thereby eliminating the necessity ot twisting the wire each time a connection is made and further enabling the length ot' the stay wires to be permanently adiusted and this adjustment maintained regardless of the number ol' times the wire may be detached from the planes. The form of device here shown consists of an open ended link 22, the open end of which provided with hook-shaped members 23. A link Q4 is permanently secured to each end of the stay wire and when it is desired to connect either end ot the wire to its plane the link 2Q is extended through the eye 7 of the proper bolt and moved until the closed end ot' the link is in engagement with the eye. The smaller link 24, which is secured to the stay wire, is then inserted through the open end of the link 22 and caused to engage the hook-shapcd ends of the link, thus forminga strong durable connection between the stay wire and the eye bolt. To prevent the link 24 from being accidentally displaced from any cause l have shown a spring 25 coiled about the link Q2 and having` its ends extending through the link, as indicated at 26. That end of the spring adjacent the open end of the link- 22 will engage the smaller link and hold the same snugly in engagement: with the hookshaped portions of the link 22, thus preventing accidental displacen'icnt of the smaller link. At the same time the stay wire can bc very readily removed by merely pressing the spring and disengaging the smaller link from the'hmik-shaped portion of the larger link.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent. that l have provided a post connection for aeroplanes which is at once of a simple, strong and durable character; which will permit of the necessary movements of the plane relatively to the posts; which will permit of the posts being quickly and easily renioved and replaced; which may be manipulated to slacken or tighten the stay wires; and which will absorb any shock which may be received by the lower plane and prevent this shock from being transl mitted to the upper plane and stay wires.

While l have shown and described one embodiment of the invention it will be lm- `tderstood that. the same has been chosen for the purposes of iliustraton only and that l do not desire to be limited to the details ot construction shown and described, for obvions modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having thus fully described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure bv Letters Patent, is:-

1. ln a flying machine, the combination, with superpcsed planes, each plane comprising` a frame member, and a post extending between said planes, of a connecting device comprising a base mounted on the trame member of one of said planes between the ends thereof, and a socket removably mounted on said base to receive the adjacent end ot said post, the connection between said socket and said post being a slidable one to permit ot' the ready removal of said socket from said post, whereby said socket may be first detached from'said base and removed from said post'l without altering` the positions of said planes.

2. ln a` fiying machine the combination, with superposcd planes, each plane compris ing a frame member, and a post extending between said planes, of a connecting device comprising a base mounted on the frame member of one. of said planes between the ends thereof and a removable socket pivotally mounted on said base on an axis parat lel with said plane and adapted to receive the adjacent. end oi said post, the connection between said socket and said post being a slidable one to permit. of the ready removal ot' said socket. from said post, whereby said socket may be first detached trom said base and removed from said post withoutaltering the positions of said planes. 3. ln a'flying machine, the combination, with superposedplanes, each plane comprising z trame member, and a post extending between said planes, of a connecting device comprising a base rigidly secured to the frame ot' one oi said planes between the ends thereof, a part pivotally mounted on said base on an axis substantially parallel with said planes, and a post-receiving socket des tacliably secured to said pivoted part.

4.. The combination, with a frame and a post, of a fixed member rigidly .secured to said frame, a tubular post-receiving socket, and a supporting` member movably mounted on said fixed member, adapted to extend into said post-receiving socket, and having means for detachably connecting said socket to said supporting member.

5. The combination, with a frame and a post, of a fixed member rigidly secured to said frame, a collar pivotally secured to said fixed member and having exterior screwthreads, and a. tabular' post-receivi1ig socket having screw threads to engage the threads of said collar.

6. A post connection comprising a fixed member having a housing constituting a ball socket and having an opening in the end thereof, a b'all mounted in said housing and having a stem extending through said opening, a collar secured to said stern adjacent to the end of said housing, and a tubular socket detachably secured to said collar.

7. A. post connection comprising a lixed member hai-'ing a housing constituting a ball socket and having an opening in the end thereof, a ball mounted in said housing and having a stem extending through said opening, a collar secured to said stem adjacent to the end of said housing, a tubular socket detachably secured to said collar, and means to hold said stem against movement about a longitudinal axis.

S. A post connection comprising a fixed member having a housing constituting a ball socket and having an opening in the end thereof, a ball mounted in said housing and having a stem extending through said opening, a collar secured to said stem adjacent to the end of said housing, a tubular socket detachably secured to said collar, said housing having vertically elongated openings in the side Walls thereof, and a piu mounted in said ball, extending into the openings in said housing and having movementA therein,

9., In an aeroplane, the combination, with superposed planes, and a post extending between said planes, of a socket secured to one of said planes and adapted to receive the end of said post, that 'end of said socket which is secured to said frame being closed to limit the movement vof said post relatively thereto, said socket having openings in the opposite sides thereof at points remote from the closed end thereof, said post having an opening therein at a point removed from the end thereof a distance less than the distance between the closed end of said socket and the openings therein, and a pin adapted to extend through the openings in said socket and said post when they are alinerncnt.

'l 0. an aeroplane. the combinat' superposed planes, posts extendin ctween said planes, and stay Wires arrzinged diagonally between said posts, of extensible connections between said posts and said planes, and detachable fastening devices for said stay wires each comprising an open link having hooked shaped end portions and a linkrsecured to the adjacent end of the respective stay wire adapted to enter said open link, and engage said hook-shaped end portions, a spring mounted on said open link and having a portion engaging the last-mentioned link to hold the same in engagement with said hook-shaped portions of the opening. 1

l1. In a iying machine, the combination, with superposed planes, and a post extending between said planes, of'a post-receiving socket mounted on one of said planes and having pivotal movement relatively thereto, and a cushioning device disposed Wit-hin'the socket between the post and the plane.

12. In an aeroplane, the combination, with superposed planes, and a post extending between said-planes, of a socketsecured to one of said planes and adapted to receive the adjacent end of said post-iva' cushioning device supported Within said socket, and a sliding connection between said post-'and said socket.

13. In a flying machine, he combination, with superposed planes, each plane comprising a frame member, and a post extending between said planes, of a device-to connect one end of said post to the frame' member of the adjacent plane, said devr compris- LEWIS l MILLER,

r-Witnesses y EDM'UND E. DUNZWEILER, HARRIET L. Hamster" ing a socket constructed to slide oto and olf 

